Bottle Drive on Saturday to raise funds for students to attend OM World Finals competition. By Lorraine Glowczak

Odyssey of the Mind students working at one of many fundraisers

It was a brief 5 weeks ago on Saturday morning April 1 that a team of five students from the Windham Primary School (WPS) placed second in the state competitions of Odyssey of the Mind (OM). As a result, they will have a chance to compete in the 2017 World Finals to be held at Michigan State University, May 24 to 27.

The WPS OM students, the first students from Windham Primary School to compete in the World Finals, are looking forward to traveling to Michigan and competing with approximately 800 other students from around the world. 

There is one hitch however, and it is getting to this competition. It’s the ever present challenge of funding in order for the five bright, young students to travel to Michigan.

But when has a challenge stopped the most brilliant and creative?

This Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the students and their coach, April O’Shea will host a second bottle drive in the parking lot of Time4Printing, 588 Roosevelt Trail in Windham.

Their first bottle drive was last weekend. “Last week's drive focused on the boys walking around a few neighborhoods. We are hoping to get a bigger outcome by having a bottle drive this Saturday in one location,” O’Shea said.

The financial goal to fund travel to the competition in Michigan is $7,000. This covers event registration, lodging and transportation for all five students.

“The boys have been working very hard to reach the trip goal.” O’Shea said. “They are about halfway there right now. They have been out in the community every week fundraising. The support from families, school staff and local businesses has been wonderful. Also, one last fundraiser will be held on Saturday May 20 at the AT&T Wireless store, from noon to 3 p.m. We will be having a bake sale and playing some creativity games.”

“Odyssey of the Mind (OM) is a creative, problem-solving competition for students of all ages,” stated Linda Berry, Enrichment/Academic Support Coach for RSU14.

When they arrive in Michigan, the competition will incorporate two areas of challenges the young competitors must solve. The two categories are: 1) Long-Term Problems and 2) Spontaneous Problems. The students have been working together since December to create and practice their long-term problem solution and will present that at the competition. Additionally, they will be given a spontaneous problem to solve. Teams are scored on a combination of the two major components, which also includes a style component. Certain aspects of their long-term project will be judged and scored for their creativity.

 

The students look forward to testing their intellectual and innovative prowess and representing the State of Maine. 

If you are unable to make this Saturday’s bottle drive or will not be able to attend the fundraising event on May 20, a gofundme.com account has been set up to make a financial donation. Visit www.gofundme.com/windham-primarys-odyssey to make a donation in any amount.